India’s T20 batting order is one of the most discussed things in world cricket and there are several combinations floating around by experts and fans. Skipper Virat Kohli has set things straight, confirming that KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma will open, with him occupying the no. 3 spot.
Apart from the top order, the playing XI looks pretty settled, and Kohli mentioned the same during the toss of their first warm-up game against England on Monday.
“We are pretty sorted in terms of how we are going to start in the first game. Outside of that, we just want to give an opportunity to guys in these games as much as possible. We will look to give game-time to most of them.”
Kohli, India’s designated no. 3 in the fifty overs format, has spoken about his preferred opening slot in T20s on several occasions. He opened with Rohit Sharma in the fifth T20I against England earlier this year, where they added 94 runs in nine overs, and Kohli scored 80* off 52 balls.
It was expected that Kohli and Rohit would open the innings in the world event. However, Kohli added that while things were different before the Indian Premier League 2021, Rahul’s performance during the season makes him a lock at the top of the order.
“Things were different before the IPL. Now it’s difficult to look beyond KL Rahul at the top of the order. Rohit is a no-brainer. A world-class player, he’s been solid up front. I will be batting at No. 3. That’s the only news I can give to start off.”
Virat stated.
Rahul lit up the IPL this year, amassing 635 runs in 13 games at an outstanding average of 62.20 while striking at 138.80.
The Punjab Kings skipper was often criticised for his needless approach of preserving wicket at low strike rate but capped off the season with an astonishing 98* off 42 against the eventual winners Chennai Super Kings.
